Efficacy Of Meningitis C Vaccine

A new study shows encouraging results for the long-term efficacy of a meningitis C vaccine. The study finds the vaccine is most effective when given to infants older than 5 months.

The meningitis C vaccine program was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1999. While the short-term effectiveness was clear, the long-term effectiveness remained unknown. Researchers conducted a study looking at the data from the four years since the vaccine was introduced to assess the long-term effectiveness.

Researchers report the vaccine was about 90-percent effective for children vaccinated in the catch-up campaign. The children were between 5 months and 18 years old. However, the overall effectiveness was only 66 percent for children vaccinated before the age of five months.

Researches say, with this data, an alternative routine immunization schedule should be considered to ensure high levels of protection.,